EP2121366A1 - Fuel tank vent assembly for a vehicle fuel tank and fuel tank equipped therewith - Google Patents

Fuel tank vent assembly for a vehicle fuel tank and fuel tank equipped therewith

Info

Publication number
EP2121366A1
EP2121366A1 EP08712819A EP08712819A EP2121366A1 EP 2121366 A1 EP2121366 A1 EP 2121366A1 EP 08712819 A EP08712819 A EP 08712819A EP 08712819 A EP08712819 A EP 08712819A EP 2121366 A1 EP2121366 A1 EP 2121366A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fuel tank
holding element
membrane
vent assembly
membrane holding
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP08712819A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2121366B1 (en
EP2121366A4 (en
Inventor
Johan Liljekvist
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Scania CV AB
Original Assignee
Scania CV AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Scania CV AB filed Critical Scania CV AB
Publication of EP2121366A1 publication Critical patent/EP2121366A1/en
Publication of EP2121366A4 publication Critical patent/EP2121366A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2121366B1 publication Critical patent/EP2121366B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K15/035—Fuel tanks characterised by venting means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K15/035—Fuel tanks characterised by venting means
    • B60K15/03519—Valve arrangements in the vent line
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K15/00—Check valves
    • F16K15/02—Check valves with guided rigid valve members
    • F16K15/021—Check valves with guided rigid valve members the valve member being a movable body around which the medium flows when the valve is open
    • F16K15/023—Check valves with guided rigid valve members the valve member being a movable body around which the medium flows when the valve is open the valve member consisting only of a predominantly disc-shaped flat element
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K17/00—Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves
    • F16K17/02—Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves opening on surplus pressure on one side; closing on insufficient pressure on one side
    • F16K17/12—Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves opening on surplus pressure on one side; closing on insufficient pressure on one side weight-loaded
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K24/00—Devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating enclosures
    • F16K24/04—Devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating enclosures for venting only
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/02—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic
    • F16K31/06—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic using a magnet, e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid
    • F16K31/08—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic using a magnet, e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid using a permanent magnet
    • F16K31/084—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic using a magnet, e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid using a permanent magnet the magnet being used only as a holding element to maintain the valve in a specific position, e.g. check valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K7/00—Diaphragm valves or cut-off apparatus, e.g. with a member deformed, but not moved bodily, to close the passage ; Pinch valves
    • F16K7/12—Diaphragm valves or cut-off apparatus, e.g. with a member deformed, but not moved bodily, to close the passage ; Pinch valves with flat, dished, or bowl-shaped diaphragm
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K2015/03256—Fuel tanks characterised by special valves, the mounting thereof
    • B60K2015/03276—Valves with membranes

Definitions

  • Fuel tank vent assembly for a vehicle fuel tank and fuel tank equipped therewith
  • the present invention relates to a fuel tank vent assembly for a vehicle fuel tank, in particular for a heavy vehicle fuel tank, comprising a housing defining a vent opening, which is provided with a vent membrane permeable for fuel vapour and air for venting the fuel tank.
  • Vehicle fuel to be supplied to a combustion engine of a vehicle is a highly volatile medium.
  • fuel vapour above the liquid fuel in the interior of said fuel tank is to be displaced as the fuel level increases.
  • this vapour must be vented for the tank to be filed.
  • the fuel vapour resulting from an increase of the ambient temperature, in particular at a high ambient temperature level also has to be vented.
  • the prior art document US 6,557,719 Bl discloses a fuel tank equipped with a gas evacuation system.
  • the fuel tank includes an opening provided with a fuel vapour and gas permeable membrane, which is supported by means of a grid.
  • US 2005/0098160 Al also discloses a fuel vent assembly having a rollover protection in order to avoid a flow-out of fuel when the vehicle is upside down due to an accident.
  • DE 40 06 465 Al also discloses a fuel vent assembly for a fuel tank with a corresponding rollover protection.
  • a fuel tank vent assembly for a vehicle fuel tank, in particular for a heavy vehicle fuel tank, comprising a housing defining a vent opening which is provided with the vent membrane permeable for fuel vapour and air for venting the fuel tank, wherein said fuel tank assembly further comprises a membrane holding element movable between a closed position and a discharge position.
  • said membrane holding element is held in said closed position by means of magnetic forces. This allows a reliable holding of the membrane holding element in said closed position.
  • said housing includes a first stop element defining said closed position of said membrane holding element.
  • said first stop element is magnetized.
  • said membrane holding element includes a magnetized region attracted by a complementary magnetic force of said magnetized first stop element.
  • said magnetic attraction forces of said membrane holding element and said housing are adapted to permit a movement of said membrane holding element from said closed position to said discharge position, if the pressure within said fuel tank exceeds a predetermined pressure limit.
  • the membrane holding element is held in its closed position as long as the pressure in the interior of the fuel tank is below the pressure limit.
  • the forces resulting from the pressure increase overcome the magnetic attraction forces.
  • said housing includes second stop means defining said discharge position of said membrane holding element and limiting its movement. Thereby, losing the membrane holding element can be prevented.
  • said membrane holding element is formed as a hollow cylindrical ring supporting said vent membrane. Moreover, said membrane holding element and said housing can abut to one another in a fluid-tight manner in said closed position. Thereby, it can be prevented that fuel flows out of the fuel tank, if the vehicle is upside down due to an accident or if the fuel tank is excessively filled with liquid fuel. It is to be understood that the magnetic attraction forces mentioned above and holding said membrane holding element in its closed position are adapted to maintain this fluid-tight abutment between the membrane holding element and said housing during such situations. This means that the pressure applied to the membrane by liquid fluid, in case the vehicle is upside down or alike, never exceeds the pressure limit for overcoming the magnetic attraction forces.
  • said housing is provided with at least one bypass recess surrounding said membrane holding element for discharge purposes, if the latter is in said discharge position.
  • said vent membrane is formed from fuel vapour permeable material, e. g. a membrane formed by an acrylic copolymer on nylon or by a polytetrafluoroethane on nylon or by silicone.
  • the invention further relates to a fuel tank equipped with the fuel tank vent assembly as described above.
  • Fig. 1 shows a perspective schematical view of a fuel tank vent assembly according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a cross section through the assembly according to fig. 1 in its closed position
  • Fig. 3 shows the assembly according to figures 1 and 2 in its opened
  • a fuel tank vent assembly 10 according to the invention is shown in a perspective view.
  • the fuel tank vent assembly 10 includes a housing 12 defining a vent opening 14.
  • the vent opening 14 is restricted by an upper flange 16 formed on the upper end of said cylindrical housing 12.
  • a cylindrical membrane holding element 18 is received within the housing 12.
  • the membrane holding element 18 is provided with a tensioned membrane arranged at the upper side of the cylindrical membrane holding element 18.
  • the membrane holding element 18 is formed as a cylindrical ring and is movable within the hollow housing 12 in axial direction, as shown by arrow 22.
  • Fig. 2 shows a closed position in which the membrane holding element 18 rests on a lower flange 24 provided at the lower end of the housing 12. This lower flange 24 is magnetized.
  • the membrane holding element 18 is magnetized in a corresponding region 26 facing said flange 24.
  • complementary magnetic attraction forces of the magnetized flange 24 and the lower region of the membrane holding element 18 result in a holding function such that the membrane holding element 18 is held in this closed position, as shown in fig. 2, by the magnetic attraction forces.
  • the lower abutting surface of the membrane holding element 18 abuts in a fluid-tight manner against the upper abutting surface of the flange 24.
  • the membrane 20 is formed from a fluid-tight material but is permeable to fuel vapour as well as to air. It is formed, e. g. from a silicone material, a cellulose material, an acrylic copolymer on a nylon, a polytetrafluoroethane on nylon or the like.
  • a plurality of guiding bars 26 are provided on the inner surface of the housing 12 in its upper region.
  • the guiding bars are arranged in a certain distance from one each other. Thereby, between two guiding bars 26 a bypass recess is formed in said housing 12, respectively.
  • the membrane holding element 18 is lifted from said flange 24 and moved upwards as shown by arrow 22 in fig. 2. Due to the force F, the membrane holding element 18 takes the discharge position shown in fig. 3. In this discharge position, the membrane holding element 18 is no longer in fluid-tight abutment with the flange 24. Instead it is lifted into abutment with the upper flange 16 of the housing 12. However, due to the bars 26 and recesses 28 arranged therebetween, there is a direct fluidic connection between the interior of the fuel tank and the ambience. Thus, air and fluid vapour depicted with dashed lines 32 can bypass the membrane holding element 18 and can stream from the interior of the fuel tank to the outside.
  • the invention provides a fuel tank vent assembly 10 as well as a fuel tank 30 equipped with such a fuel tank vent assembly 10, which guarantee a conventional and efficient venting function through a membrane which is permeable for fuel vapour and air. Moreover, it includes a membrane holding element 26 which is held by magnetic forces in a closed position, wherein the venting function is provided whereas an exit of liquid fuel is prevented, even if the vehicle is in an upside-down- position after an accident.
  • the fuel tank vent assembly 10 according to the invention provides a discharge function, wherein the membrane holding element 18 is moved into said discharge position (fig. 2). In this discharge position, the membrane holding element can be bypassed by out-streaming fuel vapour and air.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel tank vent assembly (10) for a vehicle fuel tank (30), in particular for a heavy vehicle fuel tank, comprising a housing (12) defining a vent opening (14), which is provided with a vent membrane (20) permeable for fuel vapour and air for venting the fuel tank (30). In order to provide both, a fuel vapour venting function as well as a discharge function for cases of excessive pressure within the interior of the fuel tank, the invention provides that said fuel tank assembly (10) further comprises a membrane holding element (18) movable between a closed position and a discharge position.

Description

Fuel tank vent assembly for a vehicle fuel tank and fuel tank equipped therewith
The present invention relates to a fuel tank vent assembly for a vehicle fuel tank, in particular for a heavy vehicle fuel tank, comprising a housing defining a vent opening, which is provided with a vent membrane permeable for fuel vapour and air for venting the fuel tank.
Vehicle fuel to be supplied to a combustion engine of a vehicle is a highly volatile medium. In particular, when a vehicle fuel tank is filled with liquid fuel at a gas station by means of a typical fuel pump nozzle, fuel vapour above the liquid fuel in the interior of said fuel tank is to be displaced as the fuel level increases. Obviously, this vapour must be vented for the tank to be filed. Moreover, the fuel vapour resulting from an increase of the ambient temperature, in particular at a high ambient temperature level, also has to be vented.
The prior art document US 6,557,719 Bl discloses a fuel tank equipped with a gas evacuation system. The fuel tank includes an opening provided with a fuel vapour and gas permeable membrane, which is supported by means of a grid.
US 2005/0098160 Al also discloses a fuel vent assembly having a rollover protection in order to avoid a flow-out of fuel when the vehicle is upside down due to an accident.
DE 40 06 465 Al also discloses a fuel vent assembly for a fuel tank with a corresponding rollover protection.
Although, the above described documents disclose a rollover protection and provide a fuel vapour venting function in order to permit an outflow of air and fuel vapour through the preamble membrane, these devices are not adapted to permit discharging of excessive pressure from the fuel tank. However, the occurrence of excessive pressure can lead to damages at the fuel vent assembly, in particular at the membrane.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fuel tank vent assembly which allows a reliable venting of the fuel tank and which in addition provides a discharge function in case of excessive pressure within the fuel tank. This object is solved by a fuel tank vent assembly for a vehicle fuel tank, in particular for a heavy vehicle fuel tank, comprising a housing defining a vent opening which is provided with the vent membrane permeable for fuel vapour and air for venting the fuel tank, wherein said fuel tank assembly further comprises a membrane holding element movable between a closed position and a discharge position.
By providing a movable membrane holding element which supports the membrane, it is possible to maintain the membrane in the closed position as long as the pressure within the fuel tank does not exceed a certain pressure limit. In said closed position, the conventional venting function of the fuel tank is provided due to the permeability of the membrane for fuel vapour and air. However, as soon as the pressure within the fuel tank exceeds a certain pressure limit, the membrane holding element is moved to the discharge position due to the high pressure. In said discharge position, the pressure can be discharged quickly by permitting a substantially free outflow of air and fuel vapour from the interior of the fuel tank.
According to one embodiment of the invention, said membrane holding element is held in said closed position by means of magnetic forces. This allows a reliable holding of the membrane holding element in said closed position. Moreover, one embodiment of the invention can provide that said housing includes a first stop element defining said closed position of said membrane holding element. Preferably, said first stop element is magnetized. Correspondingly, said membrane holding element includes a magnetized region attracted by a complementary magnetic force of said magnetized first stop element.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, it is provided that said magnetic attraction forces of said membrane holding element and said housing are adapted to permit a movement of said membrane holding element from said closed position to said discharge position, if the pressure within said fuel tank exceeds a predetermined pressure limit. Thus, the membrane holding element is held in its closed position as long as the pressure in the interior of the fuel tank is below the pressure limit. As soon as the pressure within the fuel tank exceeds the pressure limit, e. g. in a situation with a high ambient temperature leading to a substantial pressure increase within the fuel tank, the forces resulting from the pressure increase overcome the magnetic attraction forces. Thus, the membrane holding element is lifted and moved into its discharge position whereby a pressure discharge is permitted. According to a further embodiment of the invention, said housing includes second stop means defining said discharge position of said membrane holding element and limiting its movement. Thereby, losing the membrane holding element can be prevented.
According to one embodiment of the invention, said membrane holding element is formed as a hollow cylindrical ring supporting said vent membrane. Moreover, said membrane holding element and said housing can abut to one another in a fluid-tight manner in said closed position. Thereby, it can be prevented that fuel flows out of the fuel tank, if the vehicle is upside down due to an accident or if the fuel tank is excessively filled with liquid fuel. It is to be understood that the magnetic attraction forces mentioned above and holding said membrane holding element in its closed position are adapted to maintain this fluid-tight abutment between the membrane holding element and said housing during such situations. This means that the pressure applied to the membrane by liquid fluid, in case the vehicle is upside down or alike, never exceeds the pressure limit for overcoming the magnetic attraction forces.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, said housing is provided with at least one bypass recess surrounding said membrane holding element for discharge purposes, if the latter is in said discharge position. With regard to the membrane, the invention can further provide that said vent membrane is formed from fuel vapour permeable material, e. g. a membrane formed by an acrylic copolymer on nylon or by a polytetrafluoroethane on nylon or by silicone.
The invention further relates to a fuel tank equipped with the fuel tank vent assembly as described above.
In the following one embodiment of the invention is described with regard to the figures, wherein:
Fig. 1 shows a perspective schematical view of a fuel tank vent assembly according to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a cross section through the assembly according to fig. 1 in its closed position, and Fig. 3 shows the assembly according to figures 1 and 2 in its opened
(discharge) position.
In fig. 1, a fuel tank vent assembly 10 according to the invention is shown in a perspective view. The fuel tank vent assembly 10 includes a housing 12 defining a vent opening 14. The vent opening 14 is restricted by an upper flange 16 formed on the upper end of said cylindrical housing 12. Within the housing 12, a cylindrical membrane holding element 18 is received. The membrane holding element 18 is provided with a tensioned membrane arranged at the upper side of the cylindrical membrane holding element 18.
As can be seen in fig. 2, which is a cross section through the fuel tank vent assembly 10 according to fig. 1, the membrane holding element 18 is formed as a cylindrical ring and is movable within the hollow housing 12 in axial direction, as shown by arrow 22. Fig. 2 shows a closed position in which the membrane holding element 18 rests on a lower flange 24 provided at the lower end of the housing 12. This lower flange 24 is magnetized. Moreover, the membrane holding element 18 is magnetized in a corresponding region 26 facing said flange 24. Thus, complementary magnetic attraction forces of the magnetized flange 24 and the lower region of the membrane holding element 18 result in a holding function such that the membrane holding element 18 is held in this closed position, as shown in fig. 2, by the magnetic attraction forces. In this closed position according to fig. 2, the lower abutting surface of the membrane holding element 18 abuts in a fluid-tight manner against the upper abutting surface of the flange 24.
The membrane 20 is formed from a fluid-tight material but is permeable to fuel vapour as well as to air. It is formed, e. g. from a silicone material, a cellulose material, an acrylic copolymer on a nylon, a polytetrafluoroethane on nylon or the like.
Moreover, as can be seen in fig. 2, a plurality of guiding bars 26 are provided on the inner surface of the housing 12 in its upper region. The guiding bars are arranged in a certain distance from one each other. Thereby, between two guiding bars 26 a bypass recess is formed in said housing 12, respectively.
If the fuel tank vent assembly is arranged within a fuel tank wall 30, a pressure prevailing within the fuel tank acts on the membrane 20. This pressure results in a force F acting on the membrane 20. As long as this force F does not exceed the magnetic attraction forces resulting from the magnetized regions 24 and 25, the membrane holding element 18 is held in the closed position as depicted in fig. 2.
However, as soon as force F exceeds these magnetic attraction forces, the membrane holding element 18 is lifted from said flange 24 and moved upwards as shown by arrow 22 in fig. 2. Due to the force F, the membrane holding element 18 takes the discharge position shown in fig. 3. In this discharge position, the membrane holding element 18 is no longer in fluid-tight abutment with the flange 24. Instead it is lifted into abutment with the upper flange 16 of the housing 12. However, due to the bars 26 and recesses 28 arranged therebetween, there is a direct fluidic connection between the interior of the fuel tank and the ambience. Thus, air and fluid vapour depicted with dashed lines 32 can bypass the membrane holding element 18 and can stream from the interior of the fuel tank to the outside. Thereby, an excessive pressure within the interior of the fuel tank can be discharged. As soon as the excessive pressure has been relieved, the force F acting on the membrane decreases. Due to the gravity and the magnetic forces of the magnetized regions 24 and 26, the membrane holding element 18 returns to the closed position according to fig. 2.
The invention provides a fuel tank vent assembly 10 as well as a fuel tank 30 equipped with such a fuel tank vent assembly 10, which guarantee a conventional and efficient venting function through a membrane which is permeable for fuel vapour and air. Moreover, it includes a membrane holding element 26 which is held by magnetic forces in a closed position, wherein the venting function is provided whereas an exit of liquid fuel is prevented, even if the vehicle is in an upside-down- position after an accident. However, in situations of an excessive pressure within the fuel tank, the fuel tank vent assembly 10 according to the invention provides a discharge function, wherein the membrane holding element 18 is moved into said discharge position (fig. 2). In this discharge position, the membrane holding element can be bypassed by out-streaming fuel vapour and air.

Claims

Claims
1. Fuel tank vent assembly (10) for a vehicle fuel tank (30), in particular for a heavy vehicle fuel tank, comprising a housing (12) defining a vent opening (14), which is provided with a vent membrane (20) permeable for fuel vapour and air for venting the fuel tank (30), characterized in that said fuel tank assembly (10) further comprises a membrane holding element (18) movable between a closed position and a discharge position.
2. Fuel tank vent assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said membrane holding element (18) is held in said closed position by means of magnetic forces.
3. Fuel tank vent assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said housing (12) includes first stop means (24) defining said closed position of said membrane holding element (18).
4. Fuel tank vent assembly (10) according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said first stop means (24) is magnetized.
5. Fuel tank vent assembly (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said membrane holding element (18) includes a magnetized region (26) attracted by a complementary magnetic force of said magnetized first stop element (24).
6. Fuel tank vent assembly (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that said magnetic attraction forces of said membrane holding element (18) and said housing (12) are adapted to permit a movement of said membrane holding element (18) from said closed position to said discharge position, if the pressure within said fuel tank exceeds a predetermined pressure limit.
7. Fuel tank vent assembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing (12) includes second stop means (16) defining said discharge position of said membrane holding element (18).
8. Fuel tank vent assembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said membrane holding element (18) is formed as a hollow cylindrical ring supporting said vent membrane (20).
9. Fuel tank vent assembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said membrane holding element (18) and said housing (12) abut to one another in a fluid-tight manner in said closed position.
10. Fuel tank vent assembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing (12) is provided with at least one bypass recess (28) surrounding said membrane holding element 18 for discharge purposes if the latter is in said discharge position.
11. Fuel tank vent assembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said vent membrane (20) is formed from fuel vapour permeable material, in particular from an acrylic copolymer on nylon or from a polytetrafluoroethane on nylon or from silicone.
12. Fuel tank equipped with a fuel tank vent assembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims.
EP08712819.5A 2007-02-27 2008-02-18 Fuel tank vent assembly for a vehicle fuel tank and fuel tank equipped therewith Active EP2121366B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE0700494A SE531865C2 (en) 2007-02-27 2007-02-27 Fuel tank venting device for a vehicle fuel tank as well as a fuel tank equipped with said device
PCT/SE2008/050189 WO2008105724A1 (en) 2007-02-27 2008-02-18 Fuel tank vent assembly for a vehicle fuel tank and fuel tank equipped therewith

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2121366A1 true EP2121366A1 (en) 2009-11-25
EP2121366A4 EP2121366A4 (en) 2013-02-13
EP2121366B1 EP2121366B1 (en) 2014-01-01

Family

ID=39721491

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08712819.5A Active EP2121366B1 (en) 2007-02-27 2008-02-18 Fuel tank vent assembly for a vehicle fuel tank and fuel tank equipped therewith

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2121366B1 (en)
BR (1) BRPI0807504A2 (en)
SE (1) SE531865C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2008105724A1 (en)

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US8777051B2 (en) 2008-04-02 2014-07-15 Brunswick Corporation Fuel venting systems having protective membranes
US9096124B2 (en) 2008-04-02 2015-08-04 Brunswick Corporation Fuel cap apparatus for use with fuel venting systems
US20110088662A1 (en) * 2009-10-20 2011-04-21 Eaton Corporation Method of packaging a membrane for use in a venting valve
EP2647517B1 (en) * 2012-04-03 2015-01-14 Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme) Solid state venting valve for a fuel tank
DE102015109691A1 (en) * 2015-06-17 2016-12-22 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft Bleed valve for use in a cooling system of a motor vehicle
EP3403934B1 (en) 2017-05-19 2021-01-27 Goodrich Lighting Systems GmbH Drain valve, exterior aircraft light unit and power supply box

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE531865C2 (en) 2009-08-25
BRPI0807504A2 (en) 2014-05-27
SE0700494L (en) 2008-08-28
EP2121366B1 (en) 2014-01-01
WO2008105724A1 (en) 2008-09-04
EP2121366A4 (en) 2013-02-13

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